Post on 16-Jul-2020
VT Produce Safety ContinuumWhere Does Your Farm
Fit?
Hans EstrinUVM Extension Produce Safety Specialist
hestrin@uvm.edu / 802 380 2109
Kristina M. SweetProduce Program Coordinator
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Marketskristina.sweet@vermont.gov | (802) 522-7811
VVBGA Annual Meeting, Jan 23, 2017
Will you need to comply with FSMA?
Important question, BUT FOR NOW…
Attention to risk reduction is NOW a basic expectation for all Vermont produce growers.
…What is your Produce Safety plan?
Good News! …..VVBGA is forging a sane path
• FARMERS have what it takes to plan for Risk Reduction
• FARMER-owned risk reduction CAN also increase efficiency, quality, consistency, and FUN!
Vermont On-Farm Produce Safety Continuum
All PLAN for Risk Reduction(min 4 hr)
SELF-SERVE CAPSPlatform Templates
CAPS Accreditation
Meet Market Requirements
ALL Understand and Follow Law
• Farm-Crafted to Increase Market Integrity•Regulation By the People, for the People
Quick CAPS Status—A few Pictures and #s
Personal , Sharable Farm Folderto Document 18 CAPS Standards
Share Page Access to all other CAPS Farm Folders
Compare wash-line SOPs and Photos—WOW!
Working on CAPS…
• Farm Containers—Photos and Management
2016 CAPS Status
•100+ on platform
•68 Farms Start63 Finish (90% Completion)
•5 Farms complete Hannaford CAPS--accepted instead of USDA GAP
Wash line at Stout Oak Farm in Brentwood, NH
63 of YOU--Congratulations and Thank YOU!!
How to Participate in 2017 CAPS
• Explore capsvt.org for free
• Use CAPS with VVBGA membership ($35)
• For CAPS Accreditation, Draft/revise produce safety plan by April 1, and pay $100 CAPS fee. (financial assistance available)
• Finalize plan by June1
• Train Employees by July 15
• Finish CAPS by Nov. 1-- December 15.
• CAPS is pending for 2017, valid through 2018
Making CAPS Possible
USDA/NIFA--This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2015-49200-24225
Owned By:
Coordinated By:
Vermont’s Produce Safety Continuum: Where does Your Farm Fit? Vermont Vegetable & Berry Growers Association Annual Meeting January 23, 2017
Kristina SweetVermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule
1. One of 7 final FSMA Rules
2. Final as of January 26, 2016
3. Sprout operations with $500,000+ in annual produce sales must be in compliance with sprout standards by January 26, 2017
4. Comment on draft guidance for sprout operations now! http://www.regulations.gov
Key Requirements(Fully Covered Farms)
Conditions and practices that may contribute to microbial contamination of produce
Agricultural water
Biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO)
Raw manure
Stabilized compost
Domesticated & wild animals
Equipment, tools, buildings & sanitation
Worker health & hygiene
Produce Safety Continuumfor Farms
DRAFTa produce safety plan
ATTENDa UVM Practical Produce Safety Workshop
PARTICIPATEin a Produce Safety Alliance training
JOIN the VVBGA CAPS program
COMPLETEGAP certification
SEEK FSMAComplianceTAKE PART
in an On-Farm Readiness Review
Vermont’s Produce Safety Continuum
LEARN from your peers, produce safety workshops & resources
JOIN the VVBGA CAPS program
COMPLETEGAP certification
ATTENDa Produce Safety Alliance training
PARTICIPATE in an On-Farm Readiness Review
SEEK FSMAcompliance
DRAFTa produce safety plan
What to do now
1. Find out if you are likely to be covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule: www.surveymonkey.com/r/vtfsma or www.fda.gov/fsma > Final Rule for Produce Safety
2. Keep supporting documentation
Under $25,000 in Annual Produce SalesNot Covered
Averaged over the previous 3 years, using 2011 as the baseline for inflation: http://www.usinflationcalculator.com
Keep supporting documentation
FDA recommends that farms that are not covered follow good agricultural practices to ensure the safety of the produce they grow, harvest, pack or hold
Over $25,000 in Annual Produce SalesCovered
Farms with over $25,000 may be Qualified Exempt or meet the requirements for another exemption
Keep supporting documentation
Prepare for labeling requirements in 2020 (Qualified Exempt Farms)
What does VAAFM do?
1. Conduct USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) audits
2. Regulate apples, potatoes & strawberries (retail & farmers market inspections)
3. Regulate on-farm pesticide use and provide applicator training
4. Provide guidance to VVBGA CAPS development (& pilot audits)
What will VAAFM do?
1. Collaborate with UVM Extension
2. Deliver education & technical assistance focused on regulatory literacy
3. Conduct On-Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRR)
4. Facilitate water testing requirements
5. Conduct FSMA inspections on covered farms
Contact usAGR.FSMA@vermont.gov
(802) 522-7811
5 Year FDA Cooperative Agreement Program Components
Outreach, Education &
Technical Assistance
•Staff: 2 positions focused on outreach & education
•Collaboration with UVM Extension
•Grower training
•On-Farm Readiness Reviews
Compliance
•Staff: 3 inspectors by 2019
• Inspections for fully covered farms beginning in 2018
•Facilitate implementation of water testing requirements
Vermont State Impact
500
415 130
15
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Farms with annual produce sales <$25,000
Farms with annual produce sales $25,000–$500,000
Farms with annual produce sales $500,000+
FSMA Produce Safety Rule in Vermont
"Not Covered" Farms Qualified Exempt Farms Fully Covered Farms
Estimates based on 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture data provided by the National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS) for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) in August 2015.